Troubled cyclist throws self at car; man charged

LAKE WALES, Fla. (AP) - A 22-year-old man has been charged with leaving the scene of a deadly accident after striking a cyclist who apparently threw himself in front of the car.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says 32-year-old Keith Michael Richardson was found dead alongside a road Saturday evening in Lake Wales, about 55 miles south of Orlando. His damaged bicycle was located nearby.

According to investigators, Richardson had gotten into a fight with his girlfriend and was drinking shortly before the crash. He called and told his mother he was going to throw himself in front of a car.

Homicide detectives say Vonterrious Latron West did not realize he had struck a person and would not have been charged if he had stayed at the scene.